The Sports Xchange

St. Louis Rams (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (4-0)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn

*Keys to the game: The Packers haven’t lost at home in 21 months and between Aaron Rodgers’ MVP-caliber play and a swaggered defense with 13 sacks in the past two games, visitors are again treading lightly into Lambeau. But Nick Foles is no stranger to playing well as a visiting quarterback in Packerland. Foles threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns in only 18 attempts to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 27-13 win over the Packers in November 2013. This is a different offense he leads for St. Louis.

While the Packers can roll up 40 points when the offense is humming, the Rams prefer to grind out sustained, clock-eating drives with rookie running back Todd Gurley now back up to speed after his breakout performance of 146 rushing yards in St. Louis’ road win over the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals last weekend.

The Packers aren’t bulletproof and Green Bay’s offensive line is leaky on the edges, where Rams DEs Robert Quinn and Chris Long can cause nightmares. But Rodgers’ quick trigger is the equalizer, and Green Bay will commit to running Eddie Lacy and James Starks often against a defense allowing 120.3 yards per game.

*Matchup to watch – Packers RT Bryan Bulaga or Don Barclay vs. Rams DE Chris Long: Bulaga is hopeful of a return Sunday from knee surgery Week 1 and Barclay struggled at San Francisco. The Rams are tied with the Packers for No. 2 in the league with 17 sacks, and nearly a third have come from the relentless duo of Robert Quinn (three) and Long (two).

*Player spotlight – Rams WR Tavon Austin: Gurley was great last week but the electricity in this Rams’ offense has come from Austin. In tandem, the pair of first-round picks give the Rams a puncher’s chance because of their home-run speed and playmaking ability. Austin has a 16-yard touchdown run, two TD catches and a punt return TD.

*Fast facts: The Packers have scored in the first quarter in 20 consecutive games. … Opposing quarterbacks have a 75.7 completion percentage against the Rams.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Aaron Rodgers has been a surgeon at home and even when protection isn’t pristine, the Packers’ rifleman has excelled. While the St. Louis offense has potential, Green Bay’s finely tuned machine rolls on.

*Our pick: Packers 31-22.